Vote on Phoenix West II condominium changes postponed

The Orange Beach City Council postponed for two weeks the vote on whether the Phoenix West II developers should build a pedestrian bridge over Ala. 182 connecting it to Village Tannin, a mixed-use community. (Press-Register/ Mike Kittrell)

ORANGE BEACH, Alabama -- The city postponed a vote on revisions to the Phoenix West II project during Wednesday night’s council meeting in hopes the condominium developer and neighboring Village Tannin can agree on a compromise to building a pedestrian bridge over Perdido Beach Boulevard.

The council plans to vote on the issue on March 6, according to Mayor Tony Kennon. He asked to table the vote after meeting with Village Tannin residents and developers Brett/Robinson on Wednesday afternoon.

"I think we’re getting close to working it out," he said.

Brett/Robinson has said they don’t have the money to build the elevated walkover over Ala. 182 that would connect the mixed-used Village Tannin to the 32-story condo tower.

The $245 million project received a $37.2 million payment from BP after the 2010 oil spill to help finish construction, which should be complete by March 2013.

The Planning Commission has recommended amending a March 2005 agreement that called for the developers to construct a pedestrian bridge over Ala. 182, and instead a signalized crosswalk would be installed if allowed by the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Under the revisions, the developers would not donate $2 million to the Cross Island Connector Fund, but would pay an impact fee totaling $1.53 million on the 358 condo units at $4,280 each, and pay that in 60 monthly installments with 2 percent accrued interest.

Village Tannin developer George Gounares said people bought commercial lots in Tannin based on that promised overpass, which would bring shoppers to the planned lakeside retail and restaurant area in Tannin.